Why (if so) can breifly counter flexing (not to be confused with lateral flexion) be good for a horse?

Question

why/how does it make them soft?

Answer 1

Counter-FLEXING does very little to supple the whole horse, though it might soften his jaw. Counter-BENDING will strengthen the entire horse and improve hind-end impulsion. Let's start with the definitions:

Counter-flexing is the act of flexing the horse from the poll through the neck in the opposite direction the horse is tracking. So if you're tracking left on a 20 m circle, you would flex your horse slightly to the right, just enough to see the corner of his outside eye. In this case, your horse's body stays straight. This might be useful if you have a horse that's stiff to one side of his mouth, and it may help soften his poll and encourage him to drop his head, but it's harder to ride as many amateurs and novices will focus solely on the head and drop the horse's hind end. The moment you forget about the impulsion, you lose all good training benefits of an exercise.

Counter-bending: This is the same principle as above, except the horse bends through his ribcage in the opposite direction that he's tracking. By making this full body adjustment, you really encourage the horse to engage his hind-end. He has to use those muscles to stay in proper balance or he'll stumble or fall.

Definitely don't try these types of exercises without a trainer on the ground to tell you if you're successful. It's easy to think you've got it, but only an experienced professional can tell you if you're correct.

Answer 2

Counter bending is just another maneuver to accomplish with your horse.   Advancing your riding ability, if you are into that, is about improving your level of communication with your horse.  You want your horse to be soft and responsive and counter bending is a great exercise.  You want your horse to be very flexible so you can move the fore and hind in any direction.  When you have good communication with your horse, movements occur as a coordination (like you are dancing with your horse).  You horse responds not so much to hands and reins as it does to your body, the weight in your seat, the lightest pressure of your leg, and the position of your body over your horse.  It's an amazing feeling (if your are into that).  I understand that a lot of people are not interested in such accomplishments.  Basically, riding is just not falling off without much regard for ability.   So, it all depends on what you get from riding your horse.  Advanced riding movements are not for everybody, and that's OK.  I work a lot on maintaining and improving my horses' flexibility and counter bending is a good tool.

Answer 3

It is good preparation for teaching flying lead changes and helps with flexion at the poll.  It helps when the shoulder has to be opened up for a flying change.

Answer 4

counter flexing is great for any horse that can work round already, it makes them soft, it's an interesting exersise for the horse, it keeps them aware and listening to your aids and it helps them from leaning on your hands. hope this helps!